Some good news!

The hot flushes are back with a vengeance! As anyone who’s ever had them, or has a partner who’s ever had them, will know,that is NOT the good news.

The good news is that although I’m quite convinced from previous fluctuations between hot flushes and no hot flushes, RA pain and no RA pain, that the two are correlated – for me, hot flushes usually means more RA pain and stiffness – this time the RA symptoms remain mild to non-existent. Further indication that the MTX is doing what it’s supposed to be doing.

Even the fatigue has reduced – I’ve had a really busy week – busy at work, making some bits and bobs for a charity stall run by our local sewing group, preparing for my mum’s 70th birthday (the house is full of cake, icing stuff, presents, wrapping etc.) – I had a ‘ladies who lunch’ and shopping trip on Saturday involving 50 minute drive each way to Bury St. Edmunds, and I managed the WHOLE weekend without a day-time nap.

I very nearly succumbed, but just managed not too. I hoped that would guarantee a good night’s sleep last night, but thanks to the hot flushes/night sweats, it didn’t. Oh well … can’t have everything. At least the RA is behaving itself!

Interesting! I had a browse about but the only things I could find where were the autoimmune disease was something like Lupus and had directly affected the ovary tissues causing early menopause that way. (Or vague references to ‘autoimmune diseases such as Lupus and RA’ but with no explanation as to why RA.) I’m sure I’ve read (can’t remember where either) that it’s often hormonally linked though, and that’s why RA often (obviously by no means always, as it can start in children) starts in menopausal-age women. Certainly my more obvious symptoms started just a mite before the hot flushes did.

My rheumatologist is actually researching the link between hormones and RA in women – it’s really interesting. I did a survey for her a few weeks ago about my own experiences. My joints always feel significantly worse during menstruation.

Hurrah for some serious research into this – I’m sure there’s a link, although RA is so complicated that it probalby won’t apply to everyone. I actually get BETTER during menstruation!! (Oh well, makes periods a bit more bearable, I suppose!)

Sorry to hear ‘if it’s not one thing it’s another’! Am also sure there’s a hormonal link. Helen, my RA is worse with PMT and I zing along from 2 days before period arrives, very energised. So different!

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A bit about me

My name is not Pollyanna and I'm not a penguin. If you'd not worked out the last bit you should probably stop reading this and seek out a psychologist.

This is a blog about me and rheumatoid arthritis - sounds like fun, huh? Well I'm hoping it'll be a bit more fun than it sounds - hence the Pollyanna part. I'm going to try to stay positive about it and play 'Pollyanna's glad game' - finding reasons to be cheerful basically.

If you really want to know more see the 'About me' page.

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